Cowboys eyeing rich crop of defensive ends

IRVING – Most mock drafts have the Cowboys selecting an offensive tackle with the ninth overall pick, but don’t forget that the draft is rich with defensive ends.

As many as 10 defensive linemen could go in the first round, analysts predict. Asked at his pre-draft news conference Tuesday whether there was an end worth picking at No. 9, Jerry Jones said, “There are…We’ve got one that might be at the top of the draft. He might end up where we’re picking. There are some that you could do good with the ninth pick.”

Two possibilities: Cal’s Cameron Jordan and Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt. Cameron is probably the better athlete, while Watt is a high-energy type.

Both can get to the quarterback and won’t be two-down players like Marcus Spears.

“I do think it’s a misconception that all of your 3-4 (ends) are just first- and second-down players,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “That’s not correct, and consequently I do think there’s value there if the right guy’s sitting there for us and he can add something more than just being a first- and second-down player.

“If we’re going to pick a guy that high, we want him on the field all three downs.”

USA Today’s Nate Davis predicted in his mock draft today that the Cowboys will take USC OT Tyron Smith, but he had this to say about Jordan: “Marcus Spears is unlikely to re-sign, so a five-technique D-lineman will be a need. Jordan is probably more talented and ready to play than any of the offensive tackles.”